Long Island, New York as a whole is often referred to as a bedroom community of New York City. But, Long Island is much more than that. It is a fish-shaped island that sits in the Atlantic Ocean and is connected to Manhattan by several bridges and tunnels. It was once inhabited by American Indians and as the years passed much of it was turned into farm land and ship building communities by the European settlers. It played a part in the American Revolution and in WWII. Eventually, the farms and shipbuilding communities dwindled while suburban homes and towns grew up throughout the island. Because it is an island surrounded by water it has a vast and beautiful coastline. Although now a very cosmopolitan area to this day Long Island is still filled with natural beauty of all types. It is my beloved home. To enlarge a photo just click on it. And, here is my little corner of Long Island....

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

THE BAITING HOLLOW HUMMINGBIRD SANCTUARY

It's the beginning of December and I realize the Long Island summer of 2012 is long over.  It decided to go out with a bang this year and we, as so many other LIers, were not unscathed.  A tree fell through the roof of our summer home sending us to the nearby Holiday Inn for a few weeks.  We finally gave up the ship, since repairs are slow in coming with overwhelmed workers, and we headed south to our winter home leaving me missing Long Island and all those who I love there.  So, today before the year is over I thought I'd revisit and share with you this past summer's trip to The Hummingbird Sanctuary in Baiting Hollow.

The sanctuary is owned, run and cared for selflessly by the very generous Professor Paul Adams of Stony Brook University.  It is a several acre parcel of land that sits in Baiting Hollow atop a cliff overlooking Long Island sound.  Think Paradise!  It contains a cliff side garden, a tiny cottage to enjoy inside and out, a shaded meadow and a zig zag path to the beach.  It is a glorious, casual and wonderful place to spend a summer afternoon.

There is so much more to enjoy than the sight of hummingbirds at The Sanctuary, but they are certainly the stars of the show.  So, whether it's hummingbirds, flowers, photography, plein-air painting or meditation you crave, by all means do try to get out to the Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary next summer.  For much more detailed information than I can provide here, for days and hours of operation and directions to the sanctuary, please go to their website:  Long Island Hummer  and/or their blog:  The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary.  Thank you.

Meanwhile, I hope you will enjoy these few of the hundreds of photos that my husband took during our visits there this summer.  (And, as always, if you'd rather skip my jibber jabber just click twice on any photo and it will enlarge with a row of all the photos in this post below it that you can run through by themselves)...


The Sanctuary Roadway


The Very Official Sanctuary Sign


The Even More Unofficial Parking Lot


The Wonderful Little Hummingbird Cottage, Also Called "Seagull Lodge"


And As You Round The Cottage Corner...


You May Really See A Seagull


The Cottage Back Porch A Delightfully Shady Place To Sit While Searching for Hummingbirds And Overlooking The Cliffside Garden and Long Island Sound


You Will See An Expansive View Of Long Island Sound And Even Connecticut On A Clear Day


 And All The Beautiful Cliffside Garden Visitors


Another Popular Visitor The Bumble Bee


Butterflies Love It Here Too


The Classic Monarch


Bzzzzzzz


So Gorgeous


 Hubby's Trick Photography  :)


The Strange Looking Hummingbird Moth


He Seems Like A Cross Between A Bumble Bee And Butterfly And To Mix It Up A Bit More They Are Almost Always Found Where Hummingbirds Feed.


 Looking to the Right of the Cliffside Garden Is The Star Of The Show.....


 Who Will Get To Dessert First?


 Mmmmmm


One Of The Rarer Male Ruby Throated Hummers


 A Few Cliffside Garden Visitor Photos Follow Below...











They Are Such Busy Little Fellows And Gals


This Wonderful Grassy Knoll Lies To The Right Of The Cottage 


 Yours Truly At A Beautiful Spot Overlooking Long Island Sound And Located At The Beginning Of The Winding Beach Trail


Contemplating The Deep Blue Sky?


 This Little Fella Is Taking A Much Earned Rest


Below are photos of some of the flowers you will see that were planted in The Sanctuary by Professor Adams to attract the hummers.  As you can see The Sanctuary is 3 1/2 acres of pure and natural beauty.  I've attempted to name a few of the flowers with their everyday nicknames here, but a horticulturist I am not.  Please help me name them in a comment below if you can!














Columbine








Mimosa


Mimosa





Crepe Myrtle


Angel Trumpet


A Candid Photo Of Our Patient Photographer


Is This Not A Cliffside Paradise?


Once You Arrive You Really Don't Want To Leave!


Seems As Though He's Saying, "Welcome Back To My Garden"!


As You Walk Through The Cottage To The Cliff's Edge Garden You Quickly Realize That Much Is Going On In Nature's World


Busy,


Busy!


Busy!!





Busy,


Busier,


Bzzziest


When your visit comes to an end and it's time to take one last look at the hummers, the garden with it's pretty pastel flowers, busy butterflies and bees and the cliffside view of Long Island Sound I promise you are going to have a difficult time tearing yourself away from this little piece of Long Island paradise...


 Farewell, until next time...


Thank you Dr. Paul Adams for your tireless work on behalf of our natural world, peace and quiet, and all those of us who you so generously share these precious things with.  I hope you know that your amazing and monumental efforts do not go unnoticed nor do they go unappreciated.  You are truly one of the most special and selfless people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

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